First Look at Bar Luna and Its New Menu

As mentioned, chef Sean Chudoba has left Bar Luna. The official word is, he and owner Turgut Balikci weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on execution of the concept, so, while waiting for a hard copy of his liquor license, Balikci installed another Upper West Side toque, Jacques Belanger (Chudoba is also out at Balikci’s other spot, Ayza). Chef Belanger has worked with Tom Valenti for six years, first as a line cook at ’Cesca, then as a sous-chef at Ouest, and finally as chef de cuisine at West Branch. As you can see below, his menu is more streamlined than Chudoba’s (more dishes will be added in the coming weeks). Bar Luna is currently serving meat and cheese plates — on Wednesday, it’ll open for full dinner service and then eventually for brunch. Certain menu items (most likely the to-share dishes) will be available till the restaurant’s closing time of 2 a.m. Have a look around.